Late Sen. Pete Suazo's legislative colleagues may honor him by renaming a west-side Salt Lake City highway in his honor.

The Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee unanimously favored a bill Wednesday that would rename the section of Redwood Road between 2100 South and 1700 North the Pete Suazo Memorial Highway.

Suazo, a Democrat, was Utah's first Latino senator and served west-side constituents until his death in a 2001 ATV accident.

Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, serves Suazo's district and proposed SB117 to recognize both his legislative record and his passion for involving youths in boxing and other sports. She called him a role model for his community.

Sen. Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, said Suazo also set a standard for collegiality in the Senate by always starting the day with good humor.

"I loved the man," Knudson said, "and miss him greatly."

The bill authorizes the Utah Department of Transportation to put up new signs only when it would ordinarily replace weathered signs, Robles said, so it shouldn't add any costs.